DELIGHTED Paul Rachubka aims to kick-off his new Town career tomorrow the way he finished his last - with a clean sheet and a win!
The 23-year-old Charlton keeper goes straight into the line-up against Brentford at the Galpharm (3.00) for his first Town start since the play-off final in Cardiff.
Back then, he blanked Mansfield before becoming a hero in the play-off shoot-out and he would now love a three-point launch to a month's loan which could end with a pemanent Town contract.
"A clean sheet would be a wonderful way to return and to say thanks to the fans, and I'm really looking forward to it," said Rachubka today.
"The memories are still fresh and happy and, while it was a great success to go up in the play-offs, I know everyone here is geared to achieving even more.
"To get into the Championship would be fantastic, I know the gaffer is setting sights on that and I'm sure the fans expect to get back there sooner rather than later.
"From what I've seen of the results so far and heard of the performances which have taken the club to eighth, I'd say a pretty good start has been made already and if we keep improving, anything is possible."
Rachubka is back after loan spells at MK Dons and Northampton and is already savouring the team spirit he enjoyed in 16 Town appearances last season.
"During the run we had, you never went out feeling we were going to lose a game and I'm sure it will feel the same against Brentford tomorrow," he said.
"You don't realise what you've got until you go and experience how it is elsewhere, and I really appreciate the closeness of the squad here and the fantastic backing of the supporters.
"It's great to be back with the lads because they're a good bunch and, hopefully, we can pick up now where we left off last season.
"That's certainly what I'm aiming to do and when Peter Jackson phoned me on Thursday night to tell me everything was sorted, I couldn't wait to get back."
Rachubka arrived by 8.30 yesterday and had only one problem - last season's No29 had gone and he couldn't decide on a squad number!
"I've been out on loan at MK Dons and Northampton because I feel the best way to improve is by playing games and making those matchday decisions," he added.
"If you can keep your clean sheets and earn those 1-0 wins which mean so much at the end of the day, it means you are doing your job.
"MK Dons are just in a transitional period while Northampton was always going to be temporary while Lee Harper recovered from his broken wrist, but this is with a view to a permanent deal and I'm happy with that.
"Nothing can be done at the moment because of the terms of the loan, but we will sit down and discuss things.
"I need to know what the gaffer is saying and I've got a fair idea of what I want, so we'll see how close we are."
Rachubka, in fact, would have been happy to come back in the summer if Ian Gray's injury had not cleared up and he was reunited with the squad in July, when he attended the Blue concert at which the stadium got a fresh start.
Supporters will now hope Rabs makes the most of his.
